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Voice pitch
Hello, my husband’s hearing is very poor even with the use of his hearing aids. Tests have shown that my voice is pitched in the frequency range which is the most difficult for him. I’m wondering whether I could somehow change the pitch of my voice so he can hear me better. Does anyone have any experience of doing this, perhaps by using a vocal coach?
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This lines up well with my experience. Certain voices are just impossible for me to hear, for example, soft low voices.
My suggestion is to work on your communication skills using the voice you have. Speak at close range with your face always toward your husband, exaggerating your mouth movements as you speak. Elevate your voice but try not to sound angry or annoyed (lotta people don’t hide their impatience, when talking to hearing-impaired counterparts, and that’s a communication mistake).
Also use writing and texts to communicate more often.
His audiologist might be able to recommend helpful practices for you to enhance your projection and communicative skills. Perhaps speech lessons are in your future, but try modifying your speaking style before embracing a potentially expensive course of action
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4 ReactionsThank you for your sound advice. I am trying all those behaviour modifications and will continue to do so.
Also try a microphone if there is one available for his hearing aids. I have one and ask to clip it on people whose voices are out of my range
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2 ReactionsWe had a microphone which worked beautifully but he changed his hearing aids and it’s not compatible with the new ones. Hoping for better technology when he switches again in a year’s time.
Even with the best technology, hearing aids won't "fix" hearing loss. It also takes a good audiologist to program the hearing aids well, using Real Ear Measurements and other best practices. It also takes good communication as @ner mentioned. Assistive technologies can also help, so you need a telecoil in the hearing aid as well.
I fully understand. My wife has a very low pitch and regardless of hearing aids I struggle to hear her. I think we have to remember when the brain has lost let's say 20% of hearing it's lost for good. The aids are programmed to amplify sound and to my knowledge working in this field as an an American Tinnitus Association volunteer they cannot accommodate every different pitch on their settings but again can amplify. Perhaps discuss with your hearing professional to determine if they can tweak them. Just please remember you are not alone.